In Jesus Holy Name August 20, 2006
Text: James 1:1 Pentecost XI, Redeemer
“The Case For Practical Christianity”
The Book of James
There are two major themes that weave their way through the scriptures. The first theme “The Way to God” expresses God’s overwhelming love for us. We know that God made each of us. We are His creation. He wants every one of us to have the assurance of forgiveness and eternal life.
The Bible is filled with the promises of God and what He accomplished. The Apostle John writes, “Jesus did many other miracles in the presence of his disciples, which were not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God and that by believing you may have life in his name.”
Jesus himself said, “For my Father’s will is that every one who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life and I will raise him up at the last day. “I am the Bread of Life.”
The Apostle, Paul, writes in Romans: “No one will be declared righteous in (God’s) sight by observing the law, rather through law we become conscious of sin. But now a righteousness from God …… comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.” “All have fallen short … and are justified freely by grace through the redemption that came by Jesus Christ who God presented as a sacrifice of atonement through faith in his blood” … shed on the cross.
The resurrection of Jesus from death and the grave makes the “way to peace with God” a guarantee free gift of grace.
The second major theme weaving its way thru the pages of scripture deals with our “walk with God”. Our behavior, our obedience to the Word of God enables us to “imitate” Jesus and pursue holiness in our character that is observable. Jesus said, “by their fruit” by your love for one another the world will know you are my disciples.
Over the next few weeks we will be dealing with this second theme, “our walk with God,” as we journey through the Book of James. The Book of James is a case for practical Christianity.
Let’s begin. Read verse 1.
The book of James was not written to clarify the “doctrine of Christ”. It was not written to a missionary church seeking clarification of doctrine. It is a letter written to established churches and Christians who already profess faith in Jesus as the “only way to the Father”. It is a letter written in the early 60’s of the first century to Christians who know the doctrine of the Trinity and Justification by Faith.
Some of these Christians might even be second generation Christians who studied at the feet of Peter and Paul. The doctrines of the Christian faith were not the concerns of James in this letter. Rather, he was concerned about Christian behavior, the visible display and practice of the Christian faith.
Jerry Bridges in his book “The Pursuit of Holiness” shares this example.
A farmer plows his field, sows the seed and fertilizes and cultivates – all the while knowing that in the final analysis he is utterly dependent on forces outside himself. He knows he cannot cause the seed to germinate, nor can he produce the rain and sunshine for growing and harvesting the crop. For a successful harvest, he is dependent on these things from God.
Yet the farmer knows that unless he diligently pursues his responsibilities to plow, plant, fertilize and cultivate, he can not expect a harvest at the end of the season. In a sense he is in partnership with God, and he will reap its benefits only when he has fulfilled his own responsibilities.
Farming is a joint venture between God and the farmer. The farmer can not do what God must do and God will not do what the farmer should do.
We can say the same about the Christian’s walk. We are to imitate Jesus (Eph. 5:1) and pursue a life of holiness. Read I Peter 2:9-12 and 1:15-16
The pursuit of holiness is a joint venture between God and the Christian. No one can attain any degree of holiness without the Holy Spirit working in his life. “God has justified us. He has made it possible for us to walk in holiness. But he has given us the responsibility of doing the walking”. That’s why James can write: “Do not merely listen to the word … Do what it says.” (James 1:22)
The Book of James is a practical letter written to “the twelve tribes scattered among the nations. James will drive home the importance of living like you know the truth. James has one question: “Prove to me you have spiritual truth by your actions.” Display the truth of Christianity in your life.
James, a servant of God and the Lord Jesus Christ. So, who is this James? The author of James is not the brother of John, the son of Zebedee, a disciple, because he was martyred in 44 AD by Herod Antipas I. Most scholars, from the 3rd, 4th, and 5th century note that the author of James is one of the physical brothers of Jesus, the son of Mary & Joseph.
We know from Matthew that early on James did not believe that Jesus was God in flesh. Read Mark 3:20-21 and Matthew 13:53-55. They thought he was crazy.
Think about it for a moment. How many of you have older brothers – brothers who never sinned? Jesus always came when his mother called … the first time. She didn’t have to use a middle name for emphasis. He always washed his hands before dinner picked up his clothes. You’ve got built-in resentment. Everyone knew him – the carpenter’s son … how could he be the Messiah?
After the resurrection of Jews from death, the Apostle Paul tells us that Jesus appeared to his brothers (I Cor. 15:3-7) “… Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, that he was buried and that he was raised on the 3rd day according to the scriptures and he appeared to Peter, then to the 12 … then he appeared to James and all the Apostles.
James, the brother of Jesus became the leader of the church in Jerusalem. Paul visited James after his conversion (Gal. 1:19) James was the leader of the council in Jerusalem when Paul brought the concerns of Gentile believers to the Jewish Christians in Jerusalem (Acts 21:18)
According to the Jewish historian, James the leader of the church in Jerusalem was martyred in A.D. 62.
James was deeply concerned about the public and private behavior of those who claimed Christianity as their faith. James saw his fellow Christians accommodating themselves to the pressures of society. Throughout this letter he continues to make the case for practical Christianity.
Review 1:19-20; 22; 2:1; 2:14; 2:19, 3:6; 4:4; 5:1.
The world applauds and emulates those who attain power, fame and wealth. But God tells us we were created for a different purpose altogether. He made us to be like Him, “conformed to the image of His on.” (Romans 8:29). He calls “us to imitate Jesus,” to be holy in all that we do. This is called “sanctification”, it is the process of becoming like Jesus.
Throughout this series of messages you will hear very little about “how to get to heaven” or How to have peace with God.” But you will hear message after message about putting your Christianity on display.
Remember … “the way to God is free by faith in Jesus. “ “God so loved the world that He gave his only Son” to die for us on the cross, … transferring all the righteousness of Jesus to us and transferring all of our sin to Jesus on the cross. (Col. 2:13-14).
Through the Book of James, the brother of Jesus, we will hear God talk to us about our behavior in our homes, the thoughts we think, the jealousy, strife, pride, and unforgiving attitude and the control of our tongue.
